The 2009 Olde Forge / Surrey Square Civic Association annual meeting was particularly productive. We elected new board members, viewed a presentation by VDOT representatives on the ongoing changes to the Beltway including the Braddock Road interchange, met Ann Sharp, the new constituent representative from Sup. Cook's office and learned details on the new pedestrian bridge at the end of Pickett Road.

Congratulations to the new board members, and thank you from the rest of us for volunteering to make ours an active, fun and connected community. Karla Leavelle was elected the new president. She is currently president of Human Capital Advisors, a board member of the Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board, the Corporate Advisory Board for the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and an adjunct professor at GMU. Karla's email is karla at leavelle.com and 703-978-4468.

Other board members for 2009-2010 are Rob Wood, who will continue as the first vice president, George Klein, the second vice president, Kathy Augustine, treasurer and Rhonda Shoemaker, secretary.

Ann Sharp, Senior Staff Assistant for Constituent Services is our first point of contact for Braddock Road Supervisor John C. Cook. You can reach her at 703-425-9300 or ann.sharp at fairfaxcounty.gov

Many thanks to Molly Sharkey and the other outgoing officers and transition team, for all their hard work. We hope that they will continue to stay involved in the neighborhood and encourage every resident to find a way to contribute to our community. There are many ways, big and small, to help make this a great place to live.

(Note: the @ was removed from the above e-mail addresses to avoid harvesting by spambots.)

The date for the Surrey Square Clean-up Day is April 25th; the date for Olde Forge is May 2.

The dates are reserved, the service is free, and the rest is up to you. Spring clean-up dates are the perfect time to get rid of broken bikes, old appliances and useless exercise machines and junk in the basement, attic, closets, storage shed, and yard.

For years, Ron Gerhardt provided a free truck from his furniture business for pick up of large items in Surrey Square. Ron’s now retired so we rent a truck for Surrey Square.

Last year, Olde Forge residents deposited junk in the pool parking lot, and it was hauled away. We can do that again, or if demand warrants, rent a truck in Olde Forge too. Can anyone provide use of a delivery-style truck (20-24') with a hydraulic lift for half of the day? We would also need a driver.

In conjunction with the adoption of by-laws in November, two issues were tabled for further discussion in April at the spring meeting. Following are details on these issues:

Currently, BY LAW TWO — PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES currently states the intentions as follows:

(a) To promote the civic interest and the general welfare of Olde Forge and Surrey Square and to participate in civic matters in Fairfax County.(b) This association shall not engage in political activity or pursue political purposes of any kind or character.(c) Upon dissolution, under the Internal Revenue Code of the United States, the assets of this association may be distributed only to Sec. 501 (c) (3) charitable organizations or Sec. 501 (c) (4) social welfare organizations located in Fairfax County, Virginia.

A motion was made to further define Bylaw Two as follows:

(a) No change(b) This association shall not endorse or work as an organization on behalf of any candidate for public office. No association officer or member shall imply organizational support or endorsement for a candidate for public office.(c) Sections (a) and (b) above shall not inhibit the association from organizing association meetings or forums open to the public to discuss ballot issues or from organizing and conducting debates among candidates for public office.(d) No change—formerly (c)

BY LAW SIX—OFFICERS defines the board members as follows: president, a first vice president, a second vice president, a treasurer, and a secretary. The vice presidents shall not reside in the sameneighborhood…..”

Motions were made to:

1) amend this bylaw so the office of the presidency alternates between residents of Olde Forge and Surrey Square.

2) amend it to eliminate this requirement for all positions.

A complete set of the bylaws in available here, or by calling Molly Sharkey at 703-978-4946.

Following is a summary of each board position as described in the bylaws.

The President presides at all meetings, supervises the affairs and activities of the association and assists the Communication and Membership committee chairpersons.

The First Vice President assists the president in the ongoing operations of the association, supports the Landscape, Hospitality, Holiday Decorations, Social, Outreach and KIDS committee chairpersons and manages special projects/events. He/she shall assume the duties of the president during any absence of the president.

The Second Vice President’s duties include representation to and relations with the larger community of Government and other organizations. He/she shall maintain contact with the District Supervisor and staff to include attending Braddock District meetings and facilitating the distribution of this information to the association via the Communication Committee.

The Treasurer receives, records and deposits all dues, disburses funds and co-chairs the membership drive.

The Secretary maintains the official records of the Association and co-chairs the committee charged with annual production of the Olde Forge Surrey Square Association directory.